F1 news LIVE: Las Vegas GP reaction as champion Max Verstappen speaks about Red Bull future
F1 news after the Vegas GP as Verstappen claimed his fourth straight world championship
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Your support makes all the difference.Max Verstappen was crowned F1 World Champion for the fourth time as the Dutchman finished above title rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver won his fourth straight title with two races to spare, as Norris can no longer catch Verstappen in the standings after he could only finish sixth.
Verstappen, meanwhile, finished fifth behind the Mercedes pair of George Russell, who won from pole, and Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished third and second for Ferrari.
The 27-year-old has eight race wins this season, including a dominant run at the start of the year, but Norris closed the gap over the second half of the campaign. However, Verstappen delivered a crucial win in Brazil last week and produced another stellar drive in Las Vegas to retain the world title.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: George Russell closes on win (Lap 48/50)
This will be George Russell’s second win of the season, and a very impressive one out in front from pole.
This is all going to be about one man, though, when the chequered flag comes out. Sylvester Stallone will do the honours in Vegas.
Norris, meanwhile, has pitted for an attempt at fastest lap.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Charles Leclerc passes Max Verstappen (Lap 46/50)
Leclerc finally gets the move done to take fourth!
But with Verstappen in fifth, it still stands that the Red Bull driver will claim the title with Norris in sixth!
At the front, Russell’s lead is now 5.6 seconds to Lewis Hamilton!
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Perez
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Carlos Sainz up to P3! (Lap 42/50)
Sainz makes the move on Verstappen down the back straight and the Red Bull doesn’t put up too much of a fight!
But Verstappen is fighting to keep fourth from Leclerc!
Sainz up to P3!
At the front, Hamilton cuts the gap to Russell to 5.7 seconds. He couldn’t, could he?!
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton chasing down George Russell (Lap 38/50)
Could Lewis Hamilton somehow win this race?!
He has cut the gap to Russell to eight seconds.
Verstappen now has the Ferrari pairing of Sainz and Leclerc on his tail.
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Norris, Piastri, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Alonso
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: George Russell pits (Lap 33/50)
Lo and behold, Russell dives into the pits and comes out still in first, 11 seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton in second.
What a dream night this is turning into for Mercedes!
Max Verstappen is third, 15 seconds ahead of Lando Norris in seventh. So the title is looking good for the Red Bull driver too!
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc pit (Lap 32/50)
Norris pits and drops to seventh, while Leclerc pits and drops to fourth.
Lewis Hamilton cruises past Max Verstappen on superior tyres to take second!
Russell yet to pit a second time but it is now a whopping 32 seconds clear in front!
Top-10: Russell, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Hulkenberg, Norris, Perez, Zhou, Piastri
Martin Brundle endures ‘really odd’ moment on F1 grid walk in Las Vegas
Martin Brundle endured a “really odd” moment at the start of his F1 grid walk at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as he was unable to find anyone to interview.
The Sky Sports broadcaster and former F1 driver progressed to the front of the grid which was unusually empty with 10 minutes left of his grid segment.
Looking around in vain for someone to talk to, Brundle said: “This is really odd. No drivers, no celebrities, no team bosses.”
Full piece below:
Martin Brundle endures ‘really odd’ moment on F1 grid walk in Las Vegas
The Sky Sports F1 broadcaster was struggling to find famous faces at the start of his pre-race grid segment
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Carlos Sainz fuming on team radio (Lap 29/50)
Sainz: “What happened?”
Engineer: “We were not ready.”
Sainz: “Wake up guys!”
Sainz pits a lap later, dropping back to sixth behind Hamilton and Verstappen.
Top-3: Russell, Leclerc, Norris. They’re all yet to pit for a second time.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Drama in the pits! (Lap 28/50)
Sainz calls to pit, and with Hamilton right behind him looks as if he is, before pulling out late!
That may well be a penalty for the Ferrari driver, it looked like he went over the white line signalling the pits!
Verstappen also pits for a second time!
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lando Norris struggling on his tyres (Lap 25/50)
Officially, at least, the title is slipping away from Norris.
He is now EIGHT seconds from Lewis Hamilton ahead of him fifth! He wants another pit-stop, but his team are saying no!
Verstappen is 11 seconds behind Russell out in front, who is looking comfortable.
Further back, Alex Albon becomes the second driver to retire from this race.
Top-10: Russell, Verstappen, Sainz, Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Tsunoda, Hulkenberg, Perez, Zhou
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